Devotees pray to Sun God on last day of Chhaath festival
New Delhi:Hundreds of thousands of devout Hindus offered water and prayed to the sun in north India on the last day of the three-day Chhaath festival on Sunday morning. The festival holds big significance for Hindus living in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in particular.
During Chhaath festival, the married women observe a two-day fast without water. They offer prayers to the Sun God, standing waist-deep in water. To mark their prayers, fruits
and flowers are also offered to the Sun God.
In Delhi , thousands of devotees converged along the banks of River Yamuna and offered prayers during sunrise, despite the early winter chill on Sunday morning. The devotees
prayed for the prosperity and well being of their families.
"We perform this Puja for our husband and sons and, thus, it holds great significance for
us. The people of Bihar celebrate it with great fanfare and it is one of our biggest festivals,"
said Seema, one of the devotees.
In Patna , the women stood waist deep in water and offered prayers to the Sun for the well
being of their families.
"Chhath holds great significance. It is celebrated for the well being of the family. We pray
to the god to keep our family members happy and prosperous," said Shweta, a devotee.
In Maharashtra, Mumbai’s Juhu Beach teemed with devotees as they performed the
Chhath rituals with deep fervour and devotion. People celebrating the Chhath festival said
that the last day of this religious festival is quite important as even a slight mistake can ruin
the hard work and devotion put in by the devotee.
"We start preparing for the Puja, months in advance. Today is the last day and even if
there is a slight mistake on our part, we will have to bear its consequences straight away.
This festival is of great importance. Whatever we ask for is fulfilled during the festival,"
said Shuhasita Sanjay Singh, another devotee.
People go to the bathing Ghats of the river and pay obeisance to both the rising and the
setting sun during the festival, celebrated on the sixth and the seventh days after Diwali, the
festival of lights.
